The McKay Messenger

  

As part of the I-95 Express Lanes Project, the Virginia Department of Transportation plans to close the ramps connecting the I-95 HOV lanes and Franconia-Springfield Parkway to allow for widening work between Aug. 8 and Labor Day.

A detour will be in place that VDOT anticipates will cause delays of no more than 5 minutes during peak AM and PM rush hours. Motorists traveling to/from the I-95N HOV lanes will be directed to complete a u-turn on Frontier Drive, while drivers seeking to get on or off I-95S will be directed to a detour on Backlick Road.

More information about this project can be found here.

Local Government is Where it Happens

Summer is winding down along with that slower pace that lends itself to reflection. So, if you find yourself on a sunny beach with your mind wandering to local government and thoughts of, "Just what does a Fairfax County supervisor do anyway," here's the scoop.

 

Constituent service is the most important thing I do as your Lee District Supervisor. The Supervisor's office is the first and sometimes the last resort for residents with difficult questions or problems -- often state responsibilities such as roads and potholes. Don't think that you need a complicated issue before you can get in touch with me. I hear from people with zoning complaints and from those with human service needs. I hear from people who want to know if a permit is needed for garage construction and from people who want to know if their neighbor got a permit for that garage. My office staff helps with stormwater and drainage issues, public safety, parking problems, everything from animal control to zoning. And everywhere I go, I'm asked for details about Springfield Town Center, Wegmans, and the progress of road improvement projects.

 
On a broader scale, I work with our state and federal government representatives to get the best outcomes for our district and our region. Every year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Legislative Committee (that I've chaired since 2009) prepares its legislative package for the General Assembly in Richmond.  Many of the services that Fairfax County provides from transportation, K-12 education, and human services require a partnership with the state. During the legislative session, the Legislative Committee tracks every bill that could affect our County and our quality of life. This is especially important in our Dillon Rule state where counties can only pass legislation if they have first obtained enabling legislation from the General Assembly.

 

Public service is a 24/7 job -- even in the summer -- and with so many big projects on the horizon, my summer has been very busy. No matter the season, there's always a lot happening in Lee District, so please call my office if you ever want any more information about a project or have an idea for the future.

Kids and public safety -- a great match

We began our new fiscal year on July 1 after one of the most challenging budget years that I can remember. More than ever, our County budget reflects the challenge of balancing our growing needs (especially in the areas of education, human services, and public safety) with our increasingly limited resources. 

 

It's important for me to hear what the residents of Lee District consider important, so I've mailed a short survey that asks for your priorities in such key areas as education, the budget, and transportation. 

 

I would appreciate it if you'd complete the survey (it shouldn't take more than a few minutes) and return it to my office. You can include your contact information on the return form or leave that part blank. If there's an issue you'd like me to look into, you'll also be able to include that. You can also complete and return the survey electronically by clicking here.

Thank you for subscribing to my monthly e-newsletter. I hope these updates will keep you in the loop with some of the major events in our District.

If you'd like to learn more about something in the newsletter or have an idea for a future edition, please don't hesitate to contact me or my staff.

  

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